Thematic Auction in Geneva:The Evolut...

Hotel Noga Hilton, Geneva, Nov 16, 2002

LOT 468

Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, "Mercator", No. 797900, case No. 656849, Ref. 43050. Produced in 1994.Very fine self-winding, water-resistant to 30 m., 18K yellow gold gentleman's wristwatch with gold dial representing the Continents of Europe, Africa, Australia and Asia, double sector graduated for 12 hours and 60 minutes for the retrograde hands, 42-hour autonomy, and 18K gold Vacheron Constantin deployant clasp.

C. two-body, solid, polished, transparent back, rounded band, stepped bezel, overhanging fluted lugs, sapphire crystal. D. 22K gold dial plates engraved with the continents as well as two sectors graduated from 1 to 12 for the hours and from 0 to 60 for the minutes, with painted Arabic numerals and indexes. The gold "Dauphine" geometrical hands, in the shape of a marine compass reminiscent of the one used by the famous cartographer Gerardus Mercator. M. Cal. 1120, extra-flat, rhodium-plated, "fasses-côtes" decoration, 36 jewels, lever escapement, annular glucidur balance adjusted for heat, cold, isochronism and 5 positions, 19'800 vibrations per hour, hanging barrel, self-compensating flat balance-spring, 21K gold rotor bearing the engraving "1594 - Gérard Mercator - 1994".Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 36 mm.